Chapter 6 History

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Haseo sighed and looked down at the virtual grass. All the antics his new friends got him into as of late did numbers on him. He'd had enough for one day, and promptly logged out. Pinkie Pie was in Dol Dona looking for players to recruit into her party. Her joyous nature and charisma brought her much luck in her little quest. And, it disheartened her a bit when she learned of no way to celebrate the gathering of so many individuals in The World like she would in Equestria. In spite of this, she did her best with her current resources and organized a monster-slaying adventure party involving herself and several parties of other players drawn to her. When all was said and done, they each offered their eternal loyalty to Pinkie. The pink-haired steam gunner seemed oblivious to the personality cult slowly developing in her favor, or she thought they were becoming better friends very quickly. The others logged out as well. Fluttershy returned to her animals; Angel Bunny greatly missed her. Rarity and Applejack returned to their crafts, as well as their families. Rainbow Dash happily returned to Equestria knowing she could fly again. Twilight Sparkle was the only other pony to remain in The World. She thought it wise to learn more about a world that she knew she only saw on the surface and wouldn't find in any book. Perhaps it exited her to maybe write her findings into a book of her very own. The idea of a land so different from hers sparked an interest in its fake history. The forum was the first place she looked. Not many players were very interested in the backstory of their game; as much as they were in quests and keywords. Twilight noted those quests and keywords in her mind and the warp menu. Still, her thirst for knowledge wasn't sated. The history itself remained uninvestigated for a time Twilight was not fond of admitting to. Then she did something she hadn't before. The World's website was still a mystery to any pony. Twilight saw it as the primary source she regretfully ignored.

The website itself had an aesthetically pleasing design. Much of the focus was on muted colors and industrial designs. Gray and brown were especially prominent, but a brownish-red was also present at the top of Twilight's sight and in a toothed sword. A few clicks into the pages granted Twilight some reprieve. She had found some facts on The World's backstory. It was very interesting. The gods, beasts, and magical fancies of a world perhaps even more technologically advanced than in Equestria. At least the weaponry from Haseo's' world would've never been conceived in her own. She though the steam-based technology was definitely worth investing. And maybe some way to mix it with Equestrian magic.

(Think of all the things ponies could do with this!) she mused.

However, she was also very much content with her status as a librarian and student of Princess Celestia. and while Equestria wasn't a sparkling paradise, it was still very interesting by itself. She would have much to ponder and share with her teacher upon her return home. Twilight would relish chance to have an intellectual conversation with Celestia.

It didn't take Twilight very long to finish reading the material provided by CC Corp. Although she enjoyed it and would definitely write a book about it later, she felt she needed insight from a player of The World. Her first action given this desire was to start posting in the forums asking for comprehensive information about The World. All she could really do afterwards was wait for responses or for adventures to come her way. Not wanting to wait for it, she returned to Dol Dona. Many players stood in the grassy town; socializing privately or loud enough to be heard. Twilight stood silent in neither category. None of her pony friends were online, nor any of her friends with real identities. Nothing else appeared wrong with her experience in The World. Knowing this, she wandered further into Dol Dona. There was little she could occupy herself with without her usual company, and she wondered what Twilight Sparkle was even doing there. Unfocused and confused are feelings she isn't friendly with. Her focus came to an abrupt start when a buzz popped into her head. A message.

Δ Hidden Forbidden Holy Ground. I want to meet you there.

The message itself presented a vague request. Why was Twilight requested there? And who? Her face reflected the fact that she had those questions. She didn't know if a fight could be initiated in that area, or if AIDA infected it. No one would protect her once she arrived. But did she venture into this 'Holy Ground'? Yes. Twilight quickly bought potions from an NPC shop just in case of an attack of any kind. Afterwards, the Chaos Gate's blue rings of light transported her once more to Mac Anu, and finally to the area in question.

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The eternally warm-colored sky above the Hulle Granz Cathedral was contrasted by the players in it that day. A tall man stood still on the beautiful, polished floor. The stillness was almost perfect, and the illumination from the wide windows at the end of the building captured any movement. He could be spotted even if he was still; this man, Ovan contrasted the cathedral itself with his blue attire. He stood in front of a pedestal where a goddess statue once was. The sole imperfection of the cathedral's interior, was the bright mark etched into the pedestal. A sign of unthinkably broken things. The man almost didn't want to look at it. Yet, he did. He blinked slowly, then looked up to the ceiling. For a moment, the cathedral was silent. The man collected himself and looked straight into the radiant windows. A creaking echoed through the faux-marble cathedral. From outside; the bridge with a platform at the other end trailed behind a girl. Twilight Sparkle arrived. The shadow warlock thought about the cathedral in a way no structure in Equestria was ever considered. It seemed to had been built as more than a simple place of worship, if worshiping took place there at all. Twilight immediately noticed the tall man standing at the other end of the structure. And just as quickly recognized him. She spoke first.

"O-Ovan?" she wondered aloud.

Ovan turned to see her, "Hello, Twilight," he greeted, smiling, "it's been a long time."

"A long time is right." mouthed Twilight, "So, why did you call me here?"

"...I wanted to know how events have been transpiring." he uttered.

"Well if you mean to ask how things are, then things have been hectic." replied Twilight, "The game's been fun, but some of the players here are... strange, to say the least."

"How's Haseo?" asked Ovan.

"He's fine, I think."

"That is good." said Ovan, "Has he gotten stronger?"

"Knowing him, I'm sure he has." replied Twilight.

"And your friends. How are they?"

"They've been well, aside from all the crazy stuff that's happened lately."

Ovan gazed in Twilight's general direction for an awkward minute before he spoke again.

"Twilight." he said.

"Yes?" said Twilight.

"It was nice to see you again."

"You, too." finished Twilight, before Ovan warped away.

Twilight was once again left with no other reason to remain in her current circumstance, and left as soon as she could. The cycle of the blue rings continued with her involvement.

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Ryou Misaki logged back into the game after Twilight left for the Hulle Granz Cathedral to check Canard's headquarters and update his guild's status with Death Grunty. Haseo made some progress in filling his items and equipment bars, and earned GP for his troubles; which includes enduring Death Grunty's verbal assault. The terror of death exited in silence, he didn't want to hear his grunty's words for his thoughts. Haseo had no AIDA to purge or events from the quest shop to be hired for. He wondered about his friends and their potential actions while he walked to use the Chaos Gate. The forums spoke of an area to find a King Chim Chim, which he found a little amusing. Along the way, he heard other players talk small in a way he found to be unintelligible and insignificant. Then, he checked with Gaspard at Canard's guild shop. As expected of Gaspard, he sold quite a bit of merchandise because of his cute face. Satisfied with the results, Haseo walked further to the Chaos Gate. He only noticed two players lurking around the gold-colored structure, whispering about topics Haseo assumed player killers would whisper about. It was nothing new. The player in black simply stood there, lost in thoughts about his friends and about The World. Then, a notification on Ryou's screen appeared saying he had new messages. Haseo logged out afterwards.

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Ryou's inbox only contained one new message: Pinkie responded to his previous email by saying it was a little boring to call him just 'Haseo.' According to the Pink steam gunner, using his real name made her feel "closer" to him. She also told Ryou about her family, upbringing, and how she first met her five best friends. Haseo insisted in his response on calling him 'Haseo' both in the game and in emails. He said using his real name was dangerous on multiple levels. He was decent enough to be semi-polite about it. Next, he checked the forums. There were no posts about new areas, meaning no new keywords. He did find Twilight's post about wanting to know The World's backstory. Ryou didn't know if she meant wanting to know how the game was created or the actual story of the game. But either way, he found it baffling. In his baffled thoughts, he responded by inquiring what she meant and that he'd respond to it as best as possible.

(There's just no escape from them.) thought Ryou, smirking.

He took off and left his gaming equipment on his desk and walked to his bed, where he laid down, and watched the ceiling. He thought about the anonymous person who imprisoned him in a comatose world of pastel colors and equines. He asked himself who and why something like this would come to fruition. Minutes passed and Ryou felt hungry. He left his room to make tea and a snack, before returning to his room and consuming all of it. Ryou returned to his computer afterwards. Then he had some new messages; one from CC Corp. about new quests, and one from Pinkie Pie, inviting him to one of her classic parties with all of her new friends.

(Seriously? A party? In The World?) he contemplated, (I guess there's no stopping her. Let's go with Pinkie Pie... to her party.)

He logged into The World once more.

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I don't know when I'll stop apologizing for updating late, but hopefully that day will come. Don't forget to tell me your thoughts on this chapter please.